Microsoft Edge hits Android, iOS because people asked for it (lol)

Microsoft Edge represents a big improvement over the much-maligned Internet Explorer, but it’s still a long way from threatening the likes of Chrome and Firefox (both critically and commercially).

So colour us surprised to hear that Microsoft is bringing Edge to Android and iOS. And they’re apparently not just doing it to test the waters, but because people wanted it.

“One of the most common requests we hear from people who use Microsoft Edge on Windows 10 PCs is ‘we want our browser experience to move to our phones’. You spoke, we listened,” read an excerpt from an official blog post.

As for features, the mobile browser will bring tentpole features like the New Tab Page, Reading List, Reading View and Favourites. We do see some synergy between the desktop and mobile versions of Edge though.

Microsoft Edge is coming to Android and iOS, because it was such a smashing success on Windows 10 /s

“But what makes Microsoft Edge really stand out is the ability to continue on your PC, which enables you to immediately open the page you’re looking at right on your PC — or save it to work on later.”

The preview, for Android and iOS, is limited to US English for now, but the company says it’ll expand language options later in the programme.

“And some features — like roaming passwords and support for iPads/Android tablets — aren’t available at preview launch but will come in the future.”

The real question however, is whether mobile users will ditch the likes of Chrome, Opera, Safari and UC Browser for Edge…

Author | Hadlee Simons

Terrible puns make Hadlee Simons difficult to work with, but he brings over seven years of tech journalism experience to the table. When he's not at work or watching motorsport, he's in the foetal position on a jiu jitsu mat. More